Your ultimate guide to week one of the 2018 NRL season

Round one of the NRL season for 2018 has finally arrived and courtesy of bookmakers Neds we've got all the information you'll need for the start of the season, including team lists, kick off times, betting odds and expert tips and predictions.

Matt Dufty will play fullback for the Dragons in number 18, with St George Illawarra given special permission to retire the No.1 jersey for this match following the passing of the legendary Graeme Langlands in January.

The Broncos have won the last four matches between the two sides, and bookmakers Neds have the Dragons as $1.85 favourites, with the Broncos at $1.95.

Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston plays his first NRL match since mid-2017, when he becomes the 30th player to reach 300 first grade games.

There’s been little between these two sides in recent years, with the last 10 matches split five-all, although Neds have the Cowboys at $1.53 to open the season with a win, with the Sharks the outsiders at $2.50.

The Tigers could only manage a 14th place finish in 2017, and they’ve recruited heavily in the off-season, with a host of new signings, while for the Roosters all eyes will be on Cooper Cronk in his first match for the club.

The Tigers haven’t beaten the Roosters since 2011, with the Roosters victorious in the last nine matches between the two sides. Neds have the Roosters as the shortest priced favourites of the round at $1.30, with the Tigers at $3.60.

Greg Inglis has been named in the centres for Souths as he makes his NRL return after injury his knee in the opening game of the 2017.

Souths have had the wood on the Warriors in recent years, with victories in each of the last six matches since 2012, and Neds are expecting that trend to continue, with the Rabbitohs at $1.50 and the Warriors at $2.60.

Dean Pay makes his NRL coaching debut for the Bulldogs, while plenty will be made of the battle of the halfbacks, with Kieran Foran turning out for the first time in blue and white, while Brodie Croft assumes the role vacated by Cooper Cronk at the Storm.

The Dogs have won six of the last seven against the Storm, but Neds have the defending premiers at $1.40 with the Bulldogs at $3.

Jarryd Hayne returns to the Eels for the first time since walking out on the club at the end of the 2014 season, and will line up at centre alongside Michael Jennings.

The two sides have been evenly matched in recent years, each winning five of their last 10 encounters, and Neds are having just as much trouble splitting them this time around, with both sides paying $1.90.